is it possible to rip a bluray with only a bluray reader drive? I've tried about every single ripper available and none of them can make any progress ripping a bluray =/ just want to know as I'm thinking of purchasing a external usb bluray writer to see whether it's just my drive which can't rip.

ok AnyDVD seems to be working. Not sure why DVDFab, Aleesoft Bluray Ripper, Xillisoft Bluray Ripper don't work, maybe too much encryption. I guess I'll have to dish out another $100 to buy a 2 year subscription for AnyDVD now for the sake of this hobby =) cheers Nate.

wait does that mean the key you linked above will only make the software available until the end of the month? Or is it like saying, those who manage to put it in before the cut off time can use the software without paying indefinitely?

While it is beta, a key will be put on that page on the forum every month, so you'll just have to update the key once the trial runs off. However, you will have to pay for it when it gets out of beta state and becomes a fully stable release (I don't know when this will happen).

I'll have to give makemkv a try. I already have a lifetime license for anydvd, but another simpler transcoder couldn't hurt especially for archiving purposes (the main reason I have anydvd beyond the occasional anime BD I rip for footage)